Crispy wrote:I just don't see Mitch pulling the trigger. We can't afford to pay Kobe, Smith, Gasol, AND Bynum. We're also paying Fish, Sasha, Rad, and Luke a good amount of money just to be role players, all for 3+ more years I believe. THEN if you wanted to resign Farmar and Ariza later on. I don't see Mitch taking on another big long term deal. Kobe and Pau would have to take major paycuts, and Bynum would have to settle for not getting a max deal. I mean, we still have Bynum, Farmar, Ariza, Sasha improving. Maybe they become better than what we think.

I think the best move for us is to keep Odom. Let's try and move him either at the deadline or next offseason. There's so much more options.

When you factor in ticket prices, merch, and other related things I'm sure the Lakers pay for themselves so I don't see money as a real obstacle. I'd guess the luxury tax is more of a nuisance since it impedes how much money Buss himself collects. If the Lakers are putting up banners I see Buss paying what it takes. If the Lakers fall short then money could become an issue. Time will tell though. After today's events I'm a lot more anxious to acquire a Prince or Smith. I feel defense is priority one for this team and both of the players I mentioned fit the bill. On the other hand does Artest equal Battier being up for grabs now?

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emplay wrote:who has gotten better? arguably now the rockets - but anyone else?

Hornets(adding Posey) got better , Clippers(though they are nowhere close they have gotten better) , thats three teams, and I dont disagree with you at all, Lakers are still #1 and they should be fine .

I understand what you're talking about Emplay, but the Rockets, Hornets (with Posey), and Portland (with Bayless and Oden) are all teams the Lakers weren't exactly successful with in the past couple of seasons.

And I might be a bit crazy, but I don't know what to think of the Mavs and Suns with a full year of their acquisitions from last season.

Questionmark wrote:I understand what you're talking about Emplay, but the Rockets, Hornets (with Posey), and Portland (with Bayless and Oden) are all teams the Lakers weren't exactly successful with in the past couple of seasons.

And I might be a bit crazy, but I don't know what to think of the Mavs and Suns with a full year of their acquisitions from last season.

i've said the same thing over and over again on that - nothing has changed - the Lakers inquired about him a couple of weeks ago but were turned away. Other than that we have Sekou and speculation - and anyone I talk to in and around the org - says they want to see Odom first.

But some do say if they can get appreciably better - they'll move Odom. Does Smith + Claxton = appreciably better?

I don't know if the Lakers feel that way - they may - I just don't know if they do or dont.

Crimony thats frustrating. I understand the intrigue of that huge front line. Id like to see that too. But no way I hold onto that and turn down the chance at Josh freaking Smith. (let alone Artest )

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He is NOT a winner. PERIOD.. He has great rebounding and slashing skills but with Bynum AND Gasol down low rebounding is not our need.

Slashing is good but not super necessary, shooting and defense are VITAL.

We need trade him for a starting small forward that can.

Josh Smith can't really shoot that great, but he can defend and blocks shots and energize us with dunks!! Plus his shooting can improve i think. His potential is huge. His defense is already top notch.

Prince would be a good fit

Marion would be a good fit

These are the 3 guys... We really need to trade Odom for one of them!!

Emplay PLEASE tell everyone you know that Odom is not a good idea for us at the SF position. PLEASE understand that we don't need a big small foward with rebounding and slashing skills, we need defense and shooting.

If we keep Odom, the Celtics still scare me because they will pack the lane and not honor our SF on the perimeter. This will make things very very tough on Kobe, Bynum, and Pau.

I don't mind LO at the 3 this season but if theres a LO for Smith deal that could be worked out we have to look into it. Once Kobe and Pau start to wear down we'd still have a great core with Farmar, Sasha, Ariza, Smith, and Bynum

What can I say, Im an optimist, and i think we could still win with Odom, but it would be a lot tougher on Kobe and everyone. I would like to see us win without having to fight incredibly tough battles. This will help to keep Kobe and Co. in better condition for years to come. (Lock up the number 1 seed early, sweep through the playoffs etc. ) Im thinking Dynasty here Emplay my friend.

Keeping Odom would be alright but if we can trade for Smith, Prince, or Marion
we really really really should. It will make all of our lives easier, especially Kobe!! I feel we can break records with one of these small forwards!!

As for my Odom beef...

Me and my dad have been to every game for 9 years now. My pops is very knowledgeable of the game and he despises LO. He hates his jumper, his softness, his inconsistency. We were happy when he played well this year, but he really disappointed us in the finals. I blame coaching also though not just him.

I think we should have won this year if Phil had commanded Odom and Co. to be more aggressive with slashing. Another reason we lost was Phil's substitution patterns, but that a different story LOL. Odom is a good player but now with our current roster he just isn't the ideal guy for the SF.

Oh yea here is another reason I hate LO.

I go to some pretty trendy clubs in Hollyweird. I have seen LO many times at these places. I've seen him go clubbing on a friday night after a good game and play absolutely terrible the following Sunday day game. I've seen him conversing with and actually making transactions with known x dealers too, lets just say after going to some of these places often u get to know who is who.

We pay wayyy too much money to see these guys play ball. Since we are paying them, I want the Lakers to employ professionals who are constantly focused on basketball. Kobe is a good example of this. I'm not saying a player can't go out and party once in a while, but not MID SEASON!!!!!! LO does not set a good example for our young players and I want him gone. Vlad Rad also is a bit of a partier and inconsistent, disappointing player., I've seen him in the club chain smoking and freakin fat chicks LOL.

LO seems like a decent guy and I know he has had many hardships.. I wish him nothing but the best but I don't want him on our team anymore.